28 June 2013

A former Skytrans Airlines [NP/SKP] (Australia) Dash8-102A, VH-QQJ (msn 392), is making its ferry flight from Australia to the US mainland, and has stopped off at HNL. The flight originated from CNS (Cairns International Airport, Cairns, Queensland, Australia) on June 26th, and made its first stop at MAJ.

392 was originally delivered to Allegheny Commuter Airlines in December 1994 as N828EX (f/n ESW), that was operating for US Airways Express. It was then transferred to Piedmont Airlines in July 2004, when Piedmont merged with Allegheny Commuter. In January 2010, Skytrans took delivery of 392 as VH-QQJ.

This Dash8-102A was once sister ships with Island Air's N829EX, which was recently withdrawn from service.

Lion Airlines is taking delivery of PK-LKU (c/n 38691, l/n 4514) today. The 737-8GP is making its delivery flight from BFI as LNI1, and will make its brief fuel stop this afternoon at HNL, before continuing onto MAJ. Normally, their third segment of their delivery flight is routed MAJ-BIK, but today's third segment is routed from MAJ to CEB [Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Lapu Lapu City, Cebu Island, Philippines].

38691 was originally registered as PK-LLH, but with allocations to subsidiaries Batik Air and Malindo Air, Lion has been using older registrations that were given to its allocations.

27 June 2013

Beginning today, Fiji Airways becomes the official name and branding of the Fijian carrier. The Air Pacific name and branding is retired. Their A330-243s and a couple of their 737NGs have already received the new livery, and the remaining aircraft will be repainted.

26 June 2013

An ex-bmi A330-243, G-WWBM (msn 398), owned by ILFC, is parked on the North Ramp at HNL. This aircraft was stored at Victorville (VCV) when bmi ceased operations and was merged into British Airways. It's not sure where this aircraft came from as there is no listing on Flightaware, but a search on Flightradar24 shows G-WWBM leaving from Manila (MNL) heading east.

According to PlaneSpotters.net, G-WWBM is slated to be leased to Thomas Cook Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines and American Airlines announced this morning that will begin a frequent flyer partnership on most flights across the US mainland. The two carriers will have a reciprocating earn/redeem program between HawaiianMiles and AAdvantage. Flights between Hawai‘i and the mainland will be excluded from the partnership.

23 June 2013

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5779 (c/n 39726, l/n 4503) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight as CES299, and seen above on HNL's South Ramp.Mahalo to team member Hal763 for the photo.

22 June 2013

Shandong Airlines took delivery of their third 737-800 this month. B-5755 (c/n 40043 l/n 4504) arrived from BFI as CDG5755 on June 22, and left for MAJ today, June 23, with the same flight number. This 737-89L was originally assigned to parent company, Air China, but reassigned to Shandong.

21 June 2013

China United Airlines is taking delivery of B-5840 (c/n 41304 l/n 4493) tonight. The 737-89P, originally ordered by parent company China Eastern Airlines, was allocated to CUA, and is making its delivery flight as CUA840.

19 June 2013

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5745 (c/n 39848, l/n 4498) this morning, and is making its delivery flight as CSN9. It's their third 737-81B within the past eight days, and seen above taxiing out for departure to MAJ.

18 June 2013

Malindo Air is taking delivery of second 737-9GPER within the past ten days. 9M-LNJ (c/n 38690, l/n 4495) is making its delivery flight as MLO1. It was originally ordered by Lion Air as PK-LLG.

*** 06.20.13 Update ***
As of 0930HST, 9M-LNJ is still sitting on the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp, in the alleyway fronting Lagoon Drive, with its nose facing Diamond Head. It departed later in the day.

I want to apologize for the delay in posting my photos of the most recent 737 delivery flight posts. I have been able to take the photos, but photo editing time has been cut down a bare minimum with my work & business schedules. I will do my best to get those photos uploaded soon.

14 June 2013

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-81B within the past three days. B-5743 fc/n 39847, l/n 4492) is making its delivery flight from BFI today, as CSN3, and seen above taxiing to its parking spot.

13 June 2013

Today, Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-85N in as many days. B-5781 (c/n 39332, l/n 4491) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG5781. It seen above departing for MAJ from Runway 8R.

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of their second 737-800 in the past six days with PK-GFV (c/n 38885, l/n 4490). The 737-8U3 is making its delivery flight as GIA8011. It's second leg will take PK-GFV to PNI.

*** 06.14.13 Update ***
PK-GFV has stayed back at HNL, due to some kind of an issue, and should resume its delivery flight today.

09 June 2013

A third ATR-72-212, N425MJ (msn 425), is now flying for Island Air. This aircraft is all-white with a small Island Air decal on the front half. I'm surprised at the lack of a logo decal on this aircraft. According to the FAA registry, this aircraft is owned by Island Air.

A C-130H of the Royal New Zealand Air Force has been stuck in Hawaii for the past few days due to a mechanical issue in its #1 engine. NZ7001 (c/n 382-4052) is seen above in the mid-afternoon sun on the South Ramp.

05 June 2013

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of PK-GFU (c/n 38040, l/n 4482) today. This GECAS-leased 737-86N is making its delivery flight from BFI as GIA8011. PK-GFU is seen above taxiing out to depart for PNI.

03 June 2013

Alaska Airlines is debuting their Hawaii-themed "Spirit Of The Islands" 737-890 today, with a flight from SEA as ASA851. The special livery was designed by Kaiser High School student Aaron Nee, and will be a guest (along with his family) on the return flight to SEA, ASA856. N560AS (c/n 35179, l/n 2072), delivered to Alaska in September 1996, is the 737-890 selected to be adorned with this special livery.

Due to a failure with our previous email provider, we only received the media invite this morning, instead of the day it was sent out. Hence, we were unable to attend today's event. Our email address has since changed.

01 June 2013

Our June edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" takes to July 2005, with this JAL Reso'cha liveried 747-346 pictured at Gate 28.

JA8184 (c/n 23968, l/n 693) was delivered to Japan Airlines in January 1988, and served with JAL until November 2008. It wore the gamut of JAL liveries: the 1970s cheatlined Tsuru; the 1990s Landor; the Reso'cha livery (above); and the 2000s "Arc of the Sun" livery. It went to Max Air (Nigeria) [--/---] in November 2008, as 5N-DBM, where it currently flies.

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